Bertha came to his mind, with the
promise that he had made to obey the rules of the school. This
suggested his big resolutions to reform his life and character. A
brutal fight on the first day of his residence at Tunbrook was not
exactly redeeming his solemn promise to his sister; nor was the
conquest of Nevers a step towards the conquest of himself.

Yet, in spite of his promise, and in spite of his resolutions, he could
not believe that he had been altogether in the wrong. He thought
Colonel Brockridge's views of the case were very sensible: and while he
wished he had not been so hasty in hitting Nevers, he felt, as the
principal had suggested, that his conduct was greatly palliated by the
provocation he had received.

Nevers cast looks of hatred and contempt at him, which stirred his
blood deeper than even the words of insults he had received. He came to
the conclusion that the bully had not got enough yet, and impulsively
he determined to give him some more at the first convenient
opportunity. But when he thought of the promise he had made to Bertha,
when he thought of his resolution to conquer himself, he struggled with
the temptation, and finally had the strength to say to the malignant
demon of hatred and revenge, "Get thee behind me, Satan." The victory
was won; the heart of Richard was at peace; he had actually conquered
himself this time.

"You have both done wrong," said the principal, after a few moments'
consideration, during which time Richard had won a greater and nobler
victory than that he had gained in the grove.

"I am sorry for it," said Richard, and it was almost the first time in
his life that he had acknowledged himself in the wrong.

Nevers cast a look full of contempt at him when he uttered these words;
but Richard, under the influence of the good angel which had taken
possession of his soul, did not permit the look to ruffle him.

"I will do right, and feel right, this time, if I never did before,"
said he to himself.

"Nevers," added the principal, "your warrant as orderly sergeant is
withdrawn; you are reduced to the ranks. You can go, now. Remove those
stripes from your arms."

The sentence was a heavy blow to the bully. For a year he had been
trying to obtain promotion. He wanted a commission. The company
officers were elected from the sergeants, and he was confident that he
should be chosen captain of Company D at the next election. He had been
a sergeant for a year and a half,